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Skin Care and Aging

by jenifer D'souza

Look young, baby soft skin, erase wrinkles - some of the usual catch phrases that commercials use to sell skin care products. And with so many of them, it is getting very difficult to choose the right one.

Look young, baby soft skin, erase wrinkles - some of the usual catch phrases that commercials use to sell skin care products. And with so many of them, it is getting very difficult to choose the right one. Skin care today, is a $50 billion plus industry and growing. Despite an upsurge of the beauty market, having a beautiful skin still remains a challenge for a lot of women.

Perhaps, the only ways to permanently keep the skin as supple as that of a fifteen year old is to stop time completely, built a sunscreen chamber and live in it. Well, needless to say, that does not seem likely, ever!

Having ventured into the impossible, it is time to look into the practical possibilities to keep the skin looking younger and healthier.

Avoid the sun

Though the sun is a good source of vitamin D, prolonged exposure can do more harm to the skin than good. The harmful UVB and UVA rays of the sun are the major causes of aging skin, wrinkles, dryness and age spots. However, it is impossible to stay away from the sun forever; hence, it is advisable to wear a sun block with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15. Wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sunglass with 100% protection against the UVA rays of the sun is also the right thing to do.

No smoking

"Cigarette smoking is injurious to health." Unfortunately, no one seems to notice this warning. Smoking is bad. Period, Smoking damages elastin, a fibrous mucoprotein that enables the skin to snap back after stretching, thus making way for wrinkles.

Natural makeup

What would a woman be without makeup? But a minimalist approach is the way to go. To keep the skin looking young and fresh, use skin care products that contain natural ingredients and are designed to balance and nourish the layers of the skin.

Drive away stress

Stress directly affects the way in which the skin reacts. Too much mental stress leads to drying out the moisture in the skin resulting in dryness, wrinkles and stress lines. Too much of emotional and physical stress can also lead to skin problems like acne and sun sensitivity. Therefore, it is very important to check stress levels by staying fit and eating healthy.

Cleanse, tone, and moisturize

While make up is essential, it is also imperative to cleanse the skin thoroughly in the morning and night. Cleansing helps eliminate dirt and pores, letting the skin breathe. But it is important to only use a mild cleanser that doesn't contain harmful chemical and additives.

Toning is also an important routine to replenish the skin. But before using an alcohol-based toner, it is advisable to check the skin type. As alcohol is a drying agent, it might work well for oily skin type, but it would make a dry skin even dryer.

Weather, Stress and even air conditioning tends to dry skin, hence it is wise to moisturize the skin on a daily basis. Again, it is advisable to use only oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizers.

Through ages, women have been obsessed with young and beautiful skin. Today, science and technology have given rise to a new wave of products that promises to keep the skin young forever. But be sure to read between the lines and try to keep it as natural as possible. Look healthy, look beautiful.

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